Regret's 5th Member

Though the ability hunters (if they had awoken) had likely lost sight of us by now, Regret was focused on making it to their destination. I still had questions, but I didn't think I could ask anything until we made it to the hideout.

Why does Regret want to find Crime? What connection do they have to each other?

My mind was swirling with questions, and I couldn't focus on anything else.

Blaze took a sudden stop and let go of my hand. "We're here."

I gazed at my surroundings and was greeted by what looked like a house in the woods. The interior looked a little run down from the outside, but the flowers planted in the garden gave it a certain charm. It didn't strike me as a 'hideout' of a secret organization at all.

"...Is this Regret's hideout?" I asked, still staring at everything.

Blaze puffed her chest out smugly, "Yep. Pretty cool, huh?"

"I don't know if I'd go that far."

"What, don't like it?"

"I didn't say that…"

Blaze looked offended by my comment.

I wasn't insulting Regret, though…

I didn't really care about clearing up the misunderstanding over something so little, but being on Blaze's bad side wouldn't benefit either of us.

"It just didn't look like what I imagined a 'hideout' to be like, that's all."

"True, it's a lot more like a home!" Ettie pointed at the garden. "Isn't Cellie's garden pretty?"

"Yes, it's very pretty—"

"O-Oh my, you're much too kind, Miss Ettie!" Celine interrupted bashfully. "But you are far prettier than any garden of mine…"

Ettie laughed heartily, nudging Celine's arm a little. "Aww, you're such a sweet friend!"

"Friend…" Celine mumbled sadly. Judging from Ettie's chipper tone, I doubted she heard her.

…I can't tell if I'm third wheeling these two or if I'm witnessing a friend zone right now.

It was awkward to watch either way. Judging from Blaze and Robin's reactions, they must have felt the same way I did.

Blaze cleared her throat, and held the door open for me. "...Anyway, let's just head inside."

"Um, sure…" I followed her inside.

"Hey, wait for us!"

Ettie called out, and Blaze started walking faster. Once the five of us were inside, Blaze locked the door.

…It was different from what I expected of a 'hideout'. Just stepping inside the place gave off a nostalgic atmosphere that reminded me of my childhood home.

Blaze led me to the living room and gestured to one of the couches, "Take a seat."

"O-Okay…"

Maybe I was tired because I had been jumping from location to location for so long, but sitting on the soft cushion gave me an odd sense of calm. I glanced around the room. The furniture was what you'd typically find in a house, but I was surprised to see the amount of electronics considering how far out in the woods this place was. And the TV was bigger than the one at my old home…

…It would actually be good for watching Crime reports.

If I voiced that thought out loud, I was sure they'd get the wrong idea about me again, so I kept it to myself.

Blaze took a seat on the couch directly across from me, the only thing separating us being the pretty much empty table.

"Now then, let's begin exchanging information," she held her palm out. "Can I see your Crime data book?"

I pulled out the book from my bag. "...I guess that's fine. But don't withhold any information from me."

"You have my word. It's an exchange, so we'll be giving you information on Crime in return."

That made me hopeful. This would be the first time I was ever speaking to anyone who actually had a possible lead on the organization.

Blaze flipped through the book. "....Hrm," she looked like she was making a strange face.

"I-Is something wrong?" I asked nervously.

"No, I mean, it's… fine. Just… not what I expected?"

"...What do you mean by that?"

She hummed, "Well, I guess looking back on old news reports could potentially be useful for looking at locations Crime might strike, but I don't see the point in writing down every single report word by word when there isn't any new information to get out of it."

"M-Maybe so, but any information about Crime is useful information to me no matter how small!"

"Uh… sure," Blaze didn't seem convinced. "But these theories aren't very plausible, either…"

"Theories?" Robin asked with a raise of his eyebrows. "You wrote Crime theories?"

Ettie's jaw dropped. "Like headcanons?! Lemme see that!"

"Headcanons?" Celine looked at Ettie quizzically.

"Well, Cellie, a headcanon is—"

"Stoppp!?"

I frantically tried to snatch my Crime data book out of Blaze's hands before I was publicly embarrassed further.

"Woah!? What's wrong?" Blaze asked confusedly.

"What's wrong is that I let you read my data book in the first place! I changed my mind! Give it back!"

"Wait, I'm not finished looking through these theories." Blaze held the book tightly, still trying to quickly flip through pages before I could take it away.

"You've looked enough! I don't need you making fun of them!"

"I'm not making fun of them, I'm just saying—"

"I don't need to hear it!"

Ettie squished in close to Blaze to get a closer look at the book. "Boss, lemme see those Crime headcanons!"

"In a minute, Ettie."

"Boss, show us too!"

"Stop pushing, Robin!"

The three of them crowded around Blaze to read the open pages; I quickly snatched the book out of her hands.

"Hey! I wasn't finished—"

"You don't get to finish!" I held the data book tightly and protectively.

Ettie not-so-sneakily tried to reach for the book. "Can I see it even if Boss can't?"

I smacked her hand away. "No!?"

"Aww!" Ettie pouted disappointedly.

Whether or not these people were right, it still irked me hearing someone talk down on my six years of hard work collecting Crime data! Even if the data wasn't useful to anyone else!

Blaze seemed a little taken aback by how irritated I was. "Uh, look, I didn't mean to make you mad—"

"I'm not mad," I glared at her.

"...Right. I said I'd give you all the information we have on Crime, so let me make it up to you."

"I'm listening."

"...Spoken without missing a beat, I see."

I could tell the others were staring at me after my quick reaction. Blaze cleared her throat.

"Crime's leader has a shadow ability."

"A shadow ability…?"

Blaze continued with a nod, "Basically, he can materialize shadows. He can also manipulate them, including his own shadow and the shadows of others. Contrary to what you'd think, his shadows actually strengthen in dark places as opposed to light sources."

"...Aha!" I exclaimed with a gasp. "So, he hides the bodies in the shadows!"

It finally made sense! That was how there was never a trace of the bodies! I quickly pulled out a pen from my pocket and jotted this new information down in my Crime data book.

A shadow ability…

I had never seen anything like that before… Nor had I ever heard about it. I wondered what it was like.

"You're… seriously excited about this," Blaze looked at me with an odd look.

"Can you blame me?! This is the first time I'm getting any information on Crime after six years!"

"Well, when you put it like that…"

Blaze still didn't seem to get why I was reacting like this, but whatever. I didn't care. I finally knew the ability of Crime's leader!

Just one more step closer to figuring out his identity…

"His name is Thorn Shadows," Blaze suddenly spoke and snapped me out of my thoughts.

In my shock, I dropped the pen I was holding onto my lap. "...I'm sorry?"

"Thorn Shadows. That's the name of Crime's leader," she repeated.

"Thorn Shadows?!"

"That's what I just said, yes."

I couldn't believe it! Not only did I now know the leader's ability, but I knew his name too?!

I quickly picked up my pen again to jot this info down in my data book.

"Pfft!" Ettie snickered. "That name is so supervillain-y! Never fails to get a laugh outta me!"

"...Now that you mention it, it is kind of strange." I thought about it more.

Sounds like it's out of a novel or something…

It only made me more curious about what Crime's leader was like.

"Seriously. What kind of name is Thorn Shadows? That can't actually be his real name, right?" Robin looked at Ettie.

"Pfft! Doubt it!"

"Well, it certainly sounds like a fake name," Celine chimed in, but she seemed disinterested in the topic.

"It's his real name," Blaze spoke seriously.

…She seems to know a lot about him.

"How do you know all this?" I asked Blaze.

"...I have my sources."

"And what are your sources?"

"....That's not important."

Why is she acting so weird…?

She was completely trying to dodge the subject. I get that I wasn't a member but she promised she wouldn't withhold any information from me, so I couldn't help but be a little miffed. Though, considering she told me more than I expected, I couldn't be too mad.

After all, I have his name and ability now…!

I nodded to myself with a newfound determination. I still didn't know his appearance, but these hints were plenty to go off of. Still, I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

"Do you know what he looks like? Or if he has any defining characteristics?"

"...He has ginger hair, and white eyes. He's around the same age as us."

Ginger hair, and white eyes?

I had never seen anyone like that before… If I did, I would definitely have remembered them. That sounded too distinct to go unnoticed. Not to mention, he was around our age? He would've stood out even more then.

"As for defining characteristics…" Blaze paused. "He has a shadow over his face."

"A shadow…?"

"...Yeah." Blaze nodded without saying anything else.

At least elaborate a little!?

Blaze definitely knew more about Crime's leader than she let on, but she didn't seem willing to cough up the details.

Maybe she's getting her info from some shady source…

I had to wonder just what that source was if she didn't want anyone knowing about it.

"That's all the information I have for now. Satisfied?" Blaze asked.

I thought of asking about her source of info again but she'd likely just blow me off, so I decided to drop that subject for now. But there was something else I was curious about…

"Very." I decided to just go ahead and ask her, "So, why is Regret searching for Crime?"

"We want to stop them," Blaze clenched her arm with her hand. "No, we must stop them…"

I couldn't gauge her expression, but I felt like there was a sense of sadness in her eyes.

"W-Why…?" I asked.

"Are you seriously asking why?" Robin glared at me. "They've murdered hundreds, and the number will only keep growing if we don't do something."

"I don't agree with Crime's methods either, but what do you plan to do? Do you actually plan to fight them?"

There was a long pause before Blaze spoke, "....If we must."

"But what would that even accomplish? No matter how much I disagree with their extreme methods, they're protecting ability users."

"I do not mean to diminish your rose-tinted view of this organization, Miss Luna, but they're truly protecting no one but themselves," Celine's words were ice cold as she looked at me.

I shrinked a little at her gaze. "I-I don't have a 'rose-tinted' view of Crime; I just don't believe they're as horrible as the media paints them..."

Robin narrowed his eyes, "And why are you defending Crime so much? You said you weren't a Crime fangirl, but I find that hard to believe."

"I-I'm not defending anyone, and I'm not a Crime fangirl! I'm just saying that Crime's victims weren't innocent!"

"And that man is?" Celine asked coldly.

I could only assume she was referring to Thorn Shadows.

"I… don't know anything about him, so I can't say for sure, but…" I lowered my gaze to avoid Celine's cold stare.

…Is he really as 'evil' as the rumors say?

I didn't agree with Crime's methods obviously, but I didn't want to believe they were some evil organization, either.

"If you don't understand what you're arguing about, then kindly keep your mouth shut."

…Okay, Celine was starting to irk me now.

"Look, you—!"

"Okay, that's enough," Blaze interrupted before I could fire back. "That isn't the point of what Luna asked. She asked why we're searching for Crime."

"And what a preposterous thing to ask! She should know—"

"Celine," Blaze spoke harshly; Celine immediately shut her mouth. Even Ettie and Robin were staring at the both of them nervously.

"I understand you're upset, but keep your emotions in check."

"...Y-Yes. My apologies, Boss," Celine lowered her head in shame. Then, she looked at me. "My apologies to you as well, Miss Luna."

"Huh?" I was taken aback by how quickly she apologized to me.

"Please allow me to make it up to you. I could make you some tea if you'd like?" she smiled kindly. "Oh, and I should still have some cookies I bought to go along with them."

"N-No, it's alright. You really don't have to go to all this trouble…"

"It's no trouble at all. I let my emotions get the best of me, so this really is the least I could do to make it up to you."

I wondered why Celine hated Crime so much but I didn't want to pry. Either way, it seemed to be a sore spot for her.

Did something happen with her and Crime…?

But still, I couldn't help but ask myself questions.

"Um, I guess if you're offering—"

"Wonderful! I'll go make some for everyone, then."

Celine smiled with a clap, and walked into the kitchen before I could say much else. It was a kind gesture, but I couldn't help but feel like she was trying to avoid the conversation.

Ettie took a seat next to me and put her hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "Cellie really didn't mean to snap at you like that, y'know. She lost her parents to Crime, so she gets a little heated whenever they're involved."

Crime killed her parents…?

I knew they targeted ability hunters and the unabilitied who got in their way, but that didn't seem right…

Did they get caught in the crossfire?

Were they ability users, too?

I had questions about the situation, of course, but it felt insensitive to ask them…

"...I-I'm sorry. I had no idea…" I mustered an apology, feeling deeply ashamed of myself for speculating about such things.

"Nah, there's no way you could've known, anyway! And I get why Cellie would hate Crime, but I get where you're coming from, too. I don't like Crime either, but after everything ability hunters have done? Yeesh…" Ettie grimaced, seemingly thinking of a bad memory.

Blaze chimed in, "Regardless of others' personal feelings, letting Crime do as they please will only bring more ability hunters after ability users. Crime killing the unabilitied is only doing more harm than good. Regret is on a mission to stop Crime for that reason."

Though Blaze's reasoning made sense to me, I also couldn't help but feel like there was an underlying reason beneath it. Her melancholic expression gave me the impression that she had her own personal feelings on Crime, too.

I knew I shouldn't pry further, so I only responded with a nod to indicate I understood. Though, I knew I honestly didn't understand the first thing about Regret's connection to Crime.

"Well, it's true that ability users have giant targets painted on their back. But ability hunters have existed long before Crime has, so I don't think they're entirely to blame for it…"

"No… I don't think they are, either," Blaze mumbled in response to me. There was something else on her mind. It was like she was looking at something or maybe even someone who wasn't there…

Who or what is she looking at right now…?

Clink.

The sound of a teacup being set in front of me on the table snapped me out of my thoughts. I noticed there was a small plate of fancy looking cookies, too.

This looks more expensive than anything I've had in my life…!

I felt a little nervous touching something so fancy as a guest, but Celine had a gentle smile on her face.

"T-Thank you…" I smiled awkwardly. "Um, are you sure it's alright if I have these?"

"Of course. Oh, are they perhaps not to your liking? I could fetch something else—" she had a worried expression now.

I flailed my arms around to dispel the misunderstanding quickly. "Ahh, no, no! They look delicious! I-If it's really no problem with you, then I'd love to have some…!"

"Please do. There's plenty in the kitchen, so help yourself to as many as you like."

I looked at the plate of fancy cookies; my stomach grumbled a bit. Celine chuckled, and I felt embarrassed. I decided to accept her offer and start eating.

"Mm…!" I took a bite of one of the fancy cookies; it was delicious as expected.

"Is it to your liking?" Celine asked.

I nodded enthusiastically, finishing off the cookie. "It's delicious…!"

She smiled warmly, "I'm pleased to hear that."

If I weren't around strangers right now, I'd be scarfing these down…

It had been a long time since I last had them, so maybe that was why I got excited whenever I saw sweets. Especially cookies, which were always my favorite. I thought of my mom's recipe, and of Noelle baking cookies for the three of us with that very recipe…

I miss Mom…

She was never coming back. Ability hunters had put an end to her. That's why I had to keep searching for the family I still had. For Violet, for Eon, for Noelle, for Crimson… I had to find them.

…I miss Noelle…

The more I thought of her, the more lonely I felt.

"Lulu!"

I remembered Noelle's gentle voice, and the nickname she gave me. I remembered how she'd take the three of us flying with her on adventures every day, and how she'd read us stories every night. Even this purple ribbon I was wearing was a gift from Noelle… I remembered how she'd tie my hair with it every morning. My hair used to be shoulder length, but it had grown so much longer since those days.

This is bad. My eyes are already starting to feel warm…

I picked up the cup of tea and blew on it, staring into its contents while waiting for it to cool.

"I promise we won't be gone for long."

That was what she promised when she left to go find Violet and Eon.

…Is six years not long enough for you?

I didn't understand. Was it because I left that house when she told me to wait?

I missed her. Terribly. I was focusing on trying to find Violet and Eon most of all, but I really did miss Noelle. I missed the comfort and warmth of my big sister… I wished she could hug me right now and tell me that things would be alright.

There's no use dwelling on it. It is what it is.

Before I realized it, the tea was starting to swish around.

Blaze stared at the cup I was holding. "Hey, your ability is activating!"

"Huh…?" I looked down; my hands were glowing a light blue while the tea was swishing around violently, splashing outside of the cup. "Ah!? I-I'm sorry!"

I tried to calm myself to focus on my ability and stop the liquid from moving.

"No, you don't have to apologize… Are you okay?" Blaze asked with concern.

"I-I'm fine. I was… just thinking of someone…" I took a sip of tea to calm myself. "Um, have either of you heard of anyone named Noelle Belle?"

Regret exchanged glances with each other, but they seemed to be clueless.

"Who?" Ettie asked confusedly.

"She has blonde hair and pink eyes— You know what, never mind…" I felt embarrassed for asking and awkwardly took another sip of tea.

Maybe Thorn Shadows would know…?

I wondered. Crime would likely know more about my family than Regret would. At least I hoped so.

"...Sorry, but I've never heard of her," Blaze said.

"Yeah, I didn't think so…"

The silence was awkward. I grabbed another cookie and took a bite from it to try and distract myself.

…They really were pretty good.

Robin exchanged glances with Blaze, "Should we check if Crime struck?"

"...You're right. We should turn on the news."

Robin reached for the remote and turned on the TV once he received the okay from Blaze.

"—A pool of blood was mysteriously found in the park."

The TV powered on and I immediately turned to face it once I heard the newscaster. Although I was staring at the TV in shock, everyone else seemed less surprised, as if they knew it would happen. There on the screen was footage of the park we were in just earlier, and now it was stained with blood. A pool of blood leading to no bodies just like all of the previous reports.

It was honestly terrifying, but now that I was aware of his ability and his methods, I tried to push down my fears and focus my eyes to catch anything I normally wouldn't. I noticed small dissipating shadows, something the average eye wouldn't notice, near the pool of blood. It had to be left over from an ability.

I let out an audible gasp and pointed at the screen in my shock. "S-Shadows!?"

"If his shadows are still dissipating, that means it wasn't too long ago when he used his ability…" Blaze muttered, thoughtfully scratching her chin.

That means…!!

I quickly rose from my seat and took a running stance.

Blaze grabbed me by the hand, stopping me. "And where do you think you're going?"

"To find Thorn Shadows! He couldn't have gone far!"

"Don't be reckless! Ability hunters will be stationed in and around the park now that Crime has attacked!"

"You don't know that!"

"—Ability hunters have stationed themselves in the area as a result of this attack. We advise others to stay out of the area until it's in the clear."

Just as I yelled back, the newscaster issued a warning while showing footage of hunters standing guard.

"...Okay, maybe you did know that."

It was honestly frustrating. Maybe God was doing it on purpose to mess with me.

"See? It's way too dangerous to go back right now."

"But Crime's leader is out there! I can't just sit back and do nothing when I can finally find him!" I tried to brush Blaze's hand off of me, but her grip was tight.

"And are you forgetting that you already almost died? You're lucky we heard you when we did!"

"I-I know, but…!"

"What do you plan to do if you get surrounded by hunters?"

"I-I'm stronger than you think I am!"

"Oh, really? And will you still be strong if they shoot you with another suppressor?"

I knew Blaze had a point, but it was still frustrating arguing with her now that I finally had a lead.

"I'll… figure out something…!"

"Listen. To. Me," she flicked my forehead with her finger. "Considering his ability which lets him travel quickly through shadows, he's likely already left the area by now. He could be back at Crime's hideout for all you know. You'll just be throwing your life away if you go back there again."

"Then, what do you suggest I do?!"

My forehead stung like a mild burn. She must have applied her flame ability to that forehead flick.

"Stop putting on these reckless stunts, for one? First, you fired off a water signal, and now you're planning to head out into a horde of ability hunters? Are you trying to get yourself killed?! Just stay put for now!"

"What I'm trying to do is find my siblings, and I can't do that just by staying put!"

Blaze facepalmed in exasperation at my response, clearly fed up with our arguing.

She took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing what she had to say. "I didn't say you had to stay put forever. Look, I already said we would help you search for your siblings, didn't I?"

…That was true. But considering I hadn't agreed to join Regret yet, I thought that offer was off the table.

"I still think you should rest today, but I have no complaints with starting our search tomorrow once things have calmed down with the hunters."

"And you're serious…?" I asked.

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Blaze had a serious expression on her face, but she was smiling with determination.

Seeing that face made me want to believe in her.

I know what I need to do now…

"I've made my decision," I faced Blaze with a newfound determination. "I'll join Regret... On one condition."

I could tell she was surprised, but she kept that smile on her face. "Let's hear it."

"I'll join Regret as a temporary member until we find Crime or my siblings. If I decide to become a full time member of Regret, or if I decide to leave altogether… Well, I'll decide when the time comes. Do you agree with these conditions?"

Blaze hummed, "I see. So, it's a temporary arrangement then."

She seemed to be thinking deeply about it.

"So, what you're saying is… you could turn out to be my enemy as well…?" she muttered. Considering how quiet it was, I doubted she wanted me to hear her.

"Huh…?" It was a stupid question but it was all I could manage to ask.

"...Never mind," she shook her head and smiled. "....Very well. I agree to your conditions."

There was something off about her smile.

'As well'? Who else was she referring to…?

I thought I could see a flash of sadness in her eyes. I still didn't understand Blaze. Not the first thing about her…

"Welcome aboard, Newbie!" Ettie pounced on me for a hug, distracting me from my serious thoughts.

"Wah!?"

Ettie had such a wide smile on her face that I couldn't help but smile just a little. Her enthusiasm really was contagious.

"Alright, then!" Blaze smacked her chest proudly. "Regret's first order of business with five members is to find Violet and Eon Ione. Rest up for today. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."

"You got it, Boss!"

"Got it, Boss!"

"Understood, Boss!"

"Huh? Um, y-yes, Boss!"

We all responded to Blaze's order differently. I still didn't think I could get used to calling someone 'Boss', and the whole secret organization thing…

Jeez… Just how old are we?

I thought embarrassedly. Judging from their appearance and mannerisms, I assumed they had to be around my age. Maybe even a little older than I was.

I had no problems with this sort of 'secret organization' thing in novels, but in real life? It was more than a little embarrassing.

"...Can I just call you Blaze instead?"

"Sure," Blaze seemed to have no problem with it at least.

"Aw, c'mon! At least play along, Newbie!"

"If she doesn't want to, you can't force her to."

"Ooh, I know! What about if you called her Boss on missions?"

"I'll, um, think about it…"

Ettie's eyes gleamed enthusiastically while Blaze sighed with exasperation. It was awkward, but I laughed just a little.

And so, I joined Regret as their fifth member. At the time, I couldn't grasp that things would soon become far, far more complicated than I could have ever begun to imagine…